real estate in comox

Navigating Comox Valley Real Estate in 2024

Happy New Year! If you’re looking to invest in Comox Valley real estate, 2024 is looking ripe with opportunities. National trends and new assessment data from BC Assessments are showing signs of a shift toward a buyer’s market in many of Canada’s major cities. In this article, I will be going over some of the 2024 market insights to pay mind to in the months to come.

Follow along below to learn more about what to expect from Comox Valley real estate in the New Year!

What to Know About Buying Comox Valley Real Estate in 2024

The first thing that buyers should be aware of going into 2024, is the current status of interest rates. The Bank of Canada has been steadily increasing the policy rate since 2022 in an effort to curb economic growth, discourage spending, and minimize demand. Over the past few months, the BOC has not raised the key lending rate any further. Many experts predict that rates will remain stable for the first half of 2024. After this, Canadians can expect to see modest cuts made. 

According to BC Assessments, property values on Vancouver Island have increased from $385 billion to over $386 billion. Despite this, most cities/towns on the Island experienced slight decreases in value. For instance, in the North Island region, Courtenay and Comox property values diminished by 4%. Additionally, in Cumberland, the average home worth plummeted 7%. 

Homeowners should keep in mind that although values dropped in 2023, they are predicted to rebound in the new year. Experts are hopeful that the national average property value will go up by 4.7% in most primary markets. 

Contact me Today!

If you are interested in learning more about buying Comox Valley real estate, contact me today! I’d be happy to help you make sure that you buy the right home for your family! For more information about real estate in the area, stay tuned to my real estate blog. And, check out my social media for the latest updates and more.

I look forward to working with you in 2024!

Real estate sales

MLS listings and sales of condominiums of all types (apartments, patio homes and townhouses) in the Comox Valley were slightly better in January 2019 and than they were in January 2018. Of note though, is that prices were higher this year for both patio homes and townhouses, but were lower for apartments. Condominium living is not for everyone, but suits many perfectly because the maintenance is done for you. You do pay that monthly strata fee and that should cover the day to day operations with lots to spare. Remember that you have to have money set aside for maintenance when you live in a freestanding home too. There are always repairs to be done, the difference with a condo (or strata) is that you share maintenance with the others in the community. Want to know what’s going on with properties for sale in Comox, Courtenay, Cumberland or the Comox Valley in general? I have all the information you need about what is for sale, what has sold and what you can expect here.

Tips to Increase your potential

When you decide to sell your home, naturally you want to get the best price possible by appealing to your audience.

 

I have posted some tips under the “For Sellers” heading for you to have a look through.

Property in Comox/Courtenay

Thinking about real estate, think Comox Valley. I can arrange to send MLS information to you about Comox, Courtenay, Cumberland and everywhere from Black Creek to Bowser and beyond. Home buyers and investors who have been looking at real estate are acting quite quickly when they see what they want. That is certainly an indication of the market we have been experiencing over the past couple of years as less sellers come to the table and buyers continue to choose where they want to live for lifestyle rather than for employment. We have to share our wealth to keep money moving, help people keep those jobs they have and maybe even create some new ones. Whether we like it or not, we are great consumers and that is what makes our world go around. It is wise to be careful, but the Comox Valley is a great place to live and invest in property. An airport, new hospital, lots of government services, increasing shopping opportunities, lots of recreation . . . . and no dirty industry . . . . along with a lot of active folks who love what is offered in Comox and surrounding areas make it a wonderful place to call home.

Preparing to Sell

When you are considering selling, it’s a good idea to use a critical eye in  your own surroundings. Try to envision how it would look to a person coming in for the first time. Consider the appeal of a tidy and organized house and start removing or donating the things that clutter your home and the things you don’t want to move to a new home. It sounds like a lot of work, but start with one room, a bit at a time. Purge. Storage bins, garbage bags, donation piles and garage sale boxes will help in your task. It’s surprising how you will catch on to it and actually enjoy the outcome. So will potential buyers!

Winter in Comox

Well, though winter in the Comox Valley is extremely unlike winter in most of the rest of the country, our real estate market here does slow down considerably though the end of 2017 was busier than many. December saw more activity than in the past couple of years even though people also began preparing for Christmas earlier than usual. There have been sales and listings as always, but not like it is earlier in the year. I can remember being busy selling and listing right through December in years past and this was the case again in 2017. Listings on the MLS come off the market or are taken off as trees, lights and sugar plum fairies loom ever closer. Who wants strangers wandering through their homes at this time of year?

Gardens in Winter

The great outdoors can be enjoyed year round, especially in the temperate climate we languish in the Comox Valley. If you like to spend time in your garden in the spring and summer, why not winter too?

There are some really simple and great ideas from colour and lighting to keeping warm that I have suggested under the For Sellers tab on my home page. Whether you like to sit in a protected corner or feel the full effects of the weather in your garden, there may be something that appeals to you.

Have a look to see if there’s anything you want to incorporate in your yard.

Real Estate Trends

It looks like 2019 here in the Comox Valley will be similar to the previous year. To see what is happening with real estate, including all areas north south, east and west from Fanny Bay to Black Creek, have a look at the Market Overview link on my main page. Just updated in January 2019, it will give you an idea where we’ve been and where we may be going in the coming year.